Nike Revives Deion Sanders’ Classic Air Diamond Turf Sneakers with Unique Twist
The revival of Deion Sanders’ classic Air Diamond Turf sneakers by Nike brings with it an interesting array of designs as we move forward into 2025. One standout from this line is the unique ‘Must Be the Money’ variant. This new edition takes inspiration from Sanders’ brief yet remarkable foray into the rap industry, specifically highlighting his iconic song.
The ‘Must Be the Money’ Air Diamond Turf incorporates a blend of colors such as Sail, Coconut Milk, Mica Blue, and Off Noir. Interestingly, this creation exhibits a dominant off-white hue that gives a vintage appeal with its purposely aged appearance and yellow-tinted edges.
The shoes also features subtle hints of soft blue, gold, and a muted shade of black. There’s a clear nod to Sanders’ fondness for gold in the palette selection. The link between these colors and Sanders’ hit 1994 single or the music video is not immediately evident, however, there is an ingenious incorporation of a dollar sign graphic on the insole as a nod to the song’s title.
Deion Sanders, also fondly known as Coach Prime, was not just a notable NFL and MLB icon during the 90s, but his interest also extended into the realm of music. He ventured into this field with the album ‘Prime Time’, released in 1994.
Despite the album not being a commercial success and receiving largely negative feedback, it’s another noteworthy startup in Sanders’ diverse and ever-expanding portfolio. His stepping stone into the music world further cements Sanders’ significance beyond just sports.
The public and industry leaders have met the resurrection of the Diamond Turf line with open arms. In a conversation with Footwear News in July, the pro BMX rider and collaborator with the famous Jordan Brand, Nigel Sylvester, stated that these revamped sneakers were among his most favored this year.
He expressed his admiration for Sanders’ efforts with the nostalgic Diamond Turfs line and found it refreshing to see the sneakers making their way back into the market. ‘Witnessing the return of the Diamond Turfs has been an extraordinary event to behold,’ Sylvester shared in his review of the shoes counter part.
Nike’s successful year 2025 also saw the re-launch of the Air Diamond Turf with its classic Emerald, ‘Falcons’, and ‘Ravens’ color schemes. These reissues have provoked a renewed interest in the Air Diamond Turf line, showing faith in the power of nostalgia and the effectiveness of a cleverly executed revival.
As we peek into the horizon and look forward to 2026, more exciting news is on the way. Nike has plans for the expected return of the Air Diamond Turf’s successor – the Air Diamond Turf 2, which is likely to launch in the spring of the following year.
The anticipation tied to the re-release of this series echoes Nike’s ability to connect design innovation with the legacy of an iconic athlete. This nostalgic route tapped into by Nike is a testament to the timeless appeal of Deion Sanders and is another example of bringing back classic designs to a new generation of sneaker enthusiasts.